Women's Basketball Defeated At #4 Connecticut, 77-37

Amy Lepley

Nov 13, 2011

STORRS,Conn. – Sophomore guard Alex Smith (Delran,N.J.) notched the Holy Cross women's basketball team's final six points, tying the team-high with eight scores and also leading the team with four steals as the squad lost to No. 4 Connecticut, 77-37, at Gampel Pavilion. With the final, the Crusaders collect a record of 0-2 on the season while the Huskies open up their 2011-2012 slate at 1-0. Junior Amy Lepley (Norfolk,Mass.) and sophomore Brisje Malone (Springfield,Mass.) also had eight points in the game.

Connecticut opened up the game on a 9-0 run before sophomore Christine Ganser (Needham,Mass.) sank a free throw at 15:47 for Holy Cross' first points in the game. Senior Meredith Ward (Westerly, R.I.) scored the team's first basket from the field, making a three-point shot at 13:56. After Lepley put up a layup at the 12 minutes mark, Connecticut went on a 16-0 run to take a 32-6 lead with eight minutes to go in the half. Holy Cross outscored the Huskies 10-5 in the final six minutes of the half as Ganser added three more points. With the final 10 scores, the Crusaders found themselves down 38-17 at the break. Ward led the Crusaders with five points as Holy Cross went 6-for-34 from the floor.

The Huskies opened the second half of play on a 15-4 run, going ahead 52-21. Lepley then broke a four-minute scoring drought for the squad, sinking her second basket of the half at 13:31. Holy Cross went on a 9-0 run from 11:10 until 8:54, cutting its deficit down to 57-34 as Smith hit her first three-point shot of the game. The Huskies jumped back out to a 73-37 lead with three minutes to go in the game, capitalizing on three Crusader turnovers. Connecticut scored the final four points of the game as Holy Cross was unable to notch another basket after the 4:58 mark, falling by the final 77-37 score.

In the game, Holy Cross shot 23.2 percent from the floor (13 of 56) while UConn shot 45.2 percent (28 of 62). The Huskies won the rebounding battle, 49-32 as Lepley led the Crusaders with five boards. Connecticut was led by Bria Hartley with 17 points.

Holy Cross will begin a three game homestand next, hosting Quinnipiac on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Hart Center in Worcester, Mass.

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